Carlisle high‑schooler asks borough to formalize youth council to give teens a seat at the table

Amir Masafiq, a junior at Carlisle High School, asked the borough council on Dec. 3 to create a Carlisle Borough Youth Council that would give students ages 14 to 19 a formal, recurring way to advise local government.

"The youth council changes that. It turns luck into professional structure," Masafiq said, describing a group with bylaws, committees, monthly meetings and elective officers who would produce research‑based recommendations and an annual youth report for the borough.

Council members immediately responded with support, naming possible early steps and partners. The mayor noted related recommendations in a recent truth and reconciliation commission report and suggested the idea could be formalized at the board’s January reorganization. Staff proposed referring the item to the community involvement committee for development of an operational plan.

Masafiq said the first year would focus on recruiting committed students, training officers and delivering a first formal recommendation — potentially on park upgrades, pedestrian safety or youth events. He offered to serve as the founding president and the council’s representative to borough meetings.

Council members and staff suggested coordination with the Parks & Recreation Board and the parks director, and emphasized recruiting, an adult liaison role and opportunities to link the youth council’s work to the borough’s parks and broader planning efforts.

The next procedural step identified by council was referral to the community involvement committee and consideration at the January reorganization meeting.